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50-ish things to do in and around Cardiff over the Easter holidays

Two weeks off school! Or two weeks without your usual baby, toddler and pre-school groups. Luckily, there is so much going on in and around Cardiff to keep you and your children occupied. I’ve tried to include as many events as I can find – more than 50 so far! – but let me know if there are any I have missed. I’ll keep on adding to this list as I hear of more events, so do bookmark this post and keep coming back to it.

Events are split into the following categories: Easter-themed events; Theatre, performance and literature; Cinema; Historical; Outdoors and wildlife; Historical; Science-based, and are listed in each category in order of start date.

All events are subject to change. Please check details with the venue beforehand.

The official Easter holiday dates for schools in Cardiff are the weeks of March 30th and April 6th, with children back in school on April 13th. However, there are a few fantastic things happening in the following week, so I’ve included those too, marked as term-time.

Hendrewennol is a pick-your-own farm famous for its strawberries. This Easter, however, you’ll be searching for something different as the explore the bluebell trails and wooded walks, in the form of clues that will lead you to your prize of an Easter egg.

The castle is offering a range of Easter events, including egg decorating workshops at 11am each day (pre-booking essential and an additional cost of £5 for one adult and child, £2.50 per additional person); egg rolling at 12pm and 2pm, and egg and spoon races at 1pm and 3pm.

Thousands of pre-schoolers across Cardiff will know Party Fizz Liz for her Music With Mummy and Jolly Babies classes, as well as the awesome birthday parties she runs. These Easter parties are 1 hour and 45 minutes long, and will include Easter themed party action songs, musical instruments, parachute games, dancing and musical games, bubbles and an Easter egg hunt, plus refreshments and a chance for little ones to play. Aimed at children aged 5 and under, there are parties for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

http://www.partyfizz.co.uk/?page_id=2101

Egg Hunt

National Museum Cardiff

Friday 3rd-Monday 6th April, 11am-4pm

This spring-themed treasure hunt will help families to explore the museum, as they hunt for clues. Entry to the museum is free, as is the hunt.

The 17th century manor will be hosting springtime and activities suitable for families. Normal admission applies.

http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/llancaiachfawr/events/events-2014

Cadbury Easter Egg Trail

Dyffryn Gardens, near St Nicholas

Friday 3rd-Monday 6th April, 11am-3pm

Explore the gorgeous gardens of this National Trust property while you hunt for hidden clues. Finding them all will lead you to a Cadbury chocolate egghead prize! Normal admission applies, plus £2 per trail.

Easter Hunt and Face Painting

The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April, 12-5pm

A free Easter hunt and face painting.

http://www.thereddragoncentre.co.uk/2015/04/04/

Easter Paw Trail

Cwmcarn Forest, Crosskeys

Easter Sunday 5th April, 10am-4pm

Follow a series of clues to find all the paw prints to lead you to the Golden Egg. Entry to Cwmcarn Forest is free but the trail is £4.50 per child, including a prize.

Yes, that’s right! Ikea! There’s a whole host of Easter activities, including arts and crafts workshops, Easter egg hunting and face painting – not to mention their free soft play sessions while you go and shop.

THEATRE, PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival

Venues across the city centre

Tuesday 24th-Sunday 29th March

With 50 events featuring everything from pooping dinosaurs, wimpy kids and crime-solving detectives, to pirates, princesses and rainbow fairies, this is a true celebration of literature for children in both English and Welsh. Some of the events are ticketed but there are other free ones taking place too.

Boxy and Sticky

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Tuesday 31st March-Thursday 1st April, and 6th April

Theatr Iolo present this mischievous theatrical adventure for 2-5 year olds, and their families. The two playful and imaginative characters revel in games that are full of mischief, dressing up and wordplay. They eventually learn that cooperation and empathy can make playing together even more fun.

Little Notes is a pre-school class that introduces and explores live music to pre-schoolers in Cardiff. This interactive presentation will see under 5s and their families singing lots of songs and listening to real instruments being played.

Justin Fletcher and a host of other CBeebies favourites come to the stage in this circus-themed arena spectacular filled with songs, games and fun. Mr Tumble and other Tumbles join forces with Gigglebiz favourites Keith Fitt, Dina Lady, Gale Force and Arthru Sleep, as well as Cat Sandion and Swashbuckle presenter Gem to help save the day and get Mr Tumble’s Circus to town on time.

Sooty has been appearing on our TV screens for more than 60 years now, delighting audiences with magic and mischief. The live stage show features Sooty, Soo, Sweep and TV partner Richard Cadell as they prepare to celebrate Sooty’s birthday. As you might expect, things don’t go to plan; Sooty and Sweep get messy baking the birthday cake and Soo is having trouble deciding which dress to wear. Izzy, wizzy, let’s get busy!

Out Of The Blue

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Friday 3rd-Sunday 5th April

Back by popular demand, Out Of The Blue is an ideal first theatrical performance for babies and toddlers aged 6-18 months. Babies are not expected to be quiet – rather, Theatr Iolo want to encourage them to respond to the captivating images and intriguing sounds however they like – gurgling, laughing, chattering. The show is around 25 minutes long, with an opportunity to stay and play for a further 10 minutes, with babies and parents able to sit on the floor on cosy duvets and cushions, with chairs at the back also available.

National Dance Company Wales, The Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre

Tuesday 7th-Thursday 9th April

A chance for young dancers to work with the professionals at Wales’s premiere dance company. Classes are available for children aged 9-13 and 14-19, with the opportunity to develop technical experience, creativity and musicality, as well as choreographic skills.

Fairy princess Holly and her friend Ben the Elf live in a little kingdom full of adventure and magic. The popular television characters come to the stage in a show filled with games, songs and laughter as Ben and Holly helping Gaston the ladybird clean his messy cave and plan a surprise birthday party for King Thistle.

The performance lasts for around an hour and a half, with an age guidance of 3 and above.

Cirque Eloize: Cirkopolis

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Wednesday 8th-Saturday 11th April

Age guidance: 8+

This internationally-renowned company bring together circus, dance and theatre in a fast-paced display of acrobatics, music, images and drawings. Twelve acrobats rebel against the monotony of life in an imposing factory-city, challenging the limits of their world. Age guidance: 8+.

Transition

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Friday 10th-Saturday 11th April

Eleven-year-old Ella is a ballerina, learning to go en pointe. Her father, Jem, is 50, a professional contemporary dancer and doesn’t approve of Ella’s passion for ballet. Transition explores their shifting relationship through dance, conversation and film. Created by National Theatre Wales in association with Theatr Iolo and Run Ragged, this show was shortlisted for the best dance production at the recent Wales Theatre Awards. Age guidance: 7+

“A phenomenal combination of storytelling and spectacle” is how The Times described this highly-acclaimed National Theatre production. Based on Mark Hadden’s award-winning novel, the stage show has won seven Olivier Awards and impressed critics across the board. It tells the tale of 15-year-old Christopher, who has an extraordinaty brain – he is exceptional at maths but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. Age guidance: 11+

Stick Man

Sherman Cymru, Cardiff

Tuesday 14th-Wednesday 15th April (term-time)

Julia Donaldson’s classic picture book is brought to life for the stage in this award-winning production. Combining puppetry, songs, live music and movement, it follows Stick Man as he ventures out from the family tree and into the wide world where a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him and he ends up on a fire! Will he ever get home to the family tree?

CINEMA

(I’m focussing here on cheap-price kids’ club films, plus independent cinemas. The big Easter children’s releases are Cinderella, The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water and Home)

Big Hero 6 (PG)

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Friday 27th-Sunday 29th March and Tuesday 31st-Thursday 2nd April

Disney’s 3D-animated superhero action comedy is the story of the special bond that develops between inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.

HISTORICAL

Written In The Stars

National Roman Museum, Caerleon

Saturday 21st March-Sunday 19th April, 10am-5pm

Visitors can follow the starry trail around the museum for a prize. Astrology was important in Roman times, with medicine and even battles influenced by where the stars were. Entrance to the museum is free, but the trail costs £1.

The under 5s are invited to take over the museum for the regular monthly pre-schoolers day. As well as all the usual hands-on exhibits exploring Cardiff’ s history, there will be rhyme and story time, messy play and detective trails.

A chance to build a replica of Caerphilly Castle – with Lego bricks! This joint-venture between Cadw and Welsh Lego Education Innovation Studios, youngsters will take part in a two-hour workshop that will see them re-create the iconic Welsh castle. Spaces are limited so booking is essential. Age guidance: 7+

OUTDOORS AND WILDLIFE

Miniature Railways and Tramways

Heath Model Railway, Heath Park, Cardiff

Sunday 5th and Monday 6th April, 1pm-5pm

This is such a fab and fun family day out. The whole family can go for rides on miniature steam, diesel and electric trains, plus a tram. Entry is £1.50 per person and each ride is £1.50 per person. Under 3s are free.

This strenuous nine-mile walk takes in the historic canal, woodlands and views across the channel. Walkers will learn about the history of coal in the valley and the role the canal played in its success. Age guidance: 10+. Admittance to Cwmcarn is free but this walk costs £5 per adult and £3 per child.

Falconry UK will be giving you the chance to see their magnificent birds of prey up close.

SCIENCE AND NATURAL SCIENCE

I Spy… Nature: Family Workshop

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 7th– Sunday 12th April, 11am, 1pm and 3pm

The I Spy… exhibition has been running at the museum for a while now and is a great chance for children to understand more about scientists and explorers work. This workshop gives budding scientists the chance to use microscopes and magnifying glasses. Entry to the museum and the workshop are both free, but the workshop needs to be booked on arrival at the museum, as places are limited.

One of the museum’s curators will give an introductory talk about some of their favourite objects in the natural sciences gallery. This event is free but needs to be booked at the information desk on arrival. Age guidance: 8+

Forget traditional egg racing on spoons…. At Techniquest, you can use k’nex to design a wacky vehicle to transport your egg to victory.

Amazing Eggsperiments

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 28th March-Sunday 12th April

This show dedicated to the humble egg in celebration of Easter. Fun experiments will help you discover how to tell if an egg is boiled or raw, rotten or fresh, as well as how strong an egg is and why they turn solid when heated.

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